McMahon’s gem leads West Chester Rustin

WESTTOWN >> The special pitchers, the truly special ones, seem to have a presence on the mound that tells an opposing lineup there’s nothing they can do to ruffle the unflappable starter.
Monday afternoon at a very warm West Chester Rustin High School, the host Golden Knights unveiled superlative junior right hander and University of Miami recruit, Chris McMahon, who seemed to be in a zone all by himself as he calmly mowed down the West Chester Henderson Warriors.
McMahon was in complete control as he allowed a pretty potent West Chester Henderson attack just one measly single, walked none and struck out 11 Warriors with a very live fastball and a good curve. It was more than Henderson could handle as the Golden Knights rolled to a 3-0 Ches-Mont League victory.
Rustin (6-3, American Conference, 6-3 overall) touched Warrior (6-4, 6-5) starter Andrew Snyder for three runs in the first two innings and the way McMahon was dealing, the lead might have been 300-0.
“I really felt good today worth the warm weather,” McMahon said. “When it is hot like this it is easy to get loose and when it is cold you sit on the bench and get stiff. I was locating my fastball pretty well today and to get some runs early made me more comfortable out there. We are starting to come on offensively and the guys played great defense for me today.”
The Knights used a leadoff walk to Jack Brosnan and an error on Henderson third baseman Ryan Angle to plate the game’s first run in the bottom of the first inning. This was followed by an RBI single by Jake Rice and the Knights had more than enough for McMahon. McMahon set the tone of the game in the top of the first by striking out the three batters he faced on just 12 pitches.
But, the Knights were not done scoring. RBI singles from McMahon and Brosnan followed a sharp double to right field by Jake Gessler and the Knights had a 3-0 lead after two innings.
Menawhile, McMahon, who hit 86 miles per hour on the radar gun Monday, was in complete control. When Ryan Angle roped a one out single in the third inning, it would be the last hit on the day for the Warriors. McMahon calmly stranded Angle as he easily got the next two Henderson batters out: Tyler Johnson on a fielder’s choice and Thomas Caulfield on a soft fly to left field.
“Chris was really locating his fastball today,” said Rustin coach Brad Harkins. “This was the first time he went seven innings and he was very impressive. He has real good command and good velocity and when he hits his spots like he did today he is very tough. He is a real competitor and he likes to have the ball in his hands with the game on there line.”
Henderson starter Synder pitched very well, although the Warriors made four errors behind him and did not offer any offensive production. But Snyder went five strong innings, allowing just the three runs and he kept getting out of jams, stranding six Rustin runners.
Henderson did not get a runner past first base until there were two outs in the seventh when Jared Matthias reached on a two-base error. But as he did all game, McMahon blew a fastball by Kevin McKeighan to end the game and Rustin catcher freshman Sean Hopkins rushed out to greet McMahon. Hopkins had two hits and was very cool behind the plate as McMahon’s battery mate.
“Sean is a great target, he is just so big,” McMahon said. “He is only a freshman but he is great to throw to and he is just an awesome kid to be around during practice and in the dugout.”

West Chester Rustin 3, West Chester Henderson 0

Henderson                    Rustin
   ab    r    h    b        ab    r    h    b
Caufield ss    3    0    0    0    Brosnan cf    3    2    1    1
Snyder p    0    0    0    0    Boyd rf    4    0    1    0
Pugliese dh    3    0    0    0    McMahn p    4    0    2    1
Roberts rf    2    0    0    0    Gallaghr pr    0    0    0    0
Dinacci 1b    3    0    0    0    Yoder 1b    4    0    0    0
Lngnckr 2b    3    0    0    0    Rice ss    3    0    1    1
Cappelli cf    1    0    0    0    Hopkins c    3    0    2    0
Lucas ph    1    0    0    0    Mariorno lf    2    0    0    0
Matthis ph    1    0    0    0    Hallady 3b    3    0    0    0
McKeighn lf    3    0    0    0    Geisler 2b    3    1       1 0
Angle 3b    2    0    1    0
Johnson c    2    0    0    0
Ritthaml 3b    0    0    0    0
Totals    24    0    1    0    Totals    29    3    8    3
Henderson    000    000    0    —    0
Rustin    120    000    x    —    3

IP    R    H    BB    SO
Henderson
Snyder, L    5    3    7    2    5
Bash    1    0    1    0    0

Rustin
McMahon, W    7    0    1    0    11